2026 comparison
Dunkerque vs Lille: 2026 comparison
Lille has more inhabitants than Dunkerque: 240,109 versus 87,442, or 2.7 times as many. Dunkerque covers a larger area (43.9 km² versus 34.8 km²), but Lille is more densely populated: 6,894 inhabitants per km² versus 1,992.
The median apartment price is higher in Lille: €3,777 per m² versus €2,144. The median standard of living is higher in Dunkerque (€22,790 a year versus €22,470).
The two cities are 66 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Dunkerque
City in Nord
- Population
- 87,442 inhab.
- 54th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 43.9 km²
- Density
- 1,992 per km²
Lille
City in Nord
- Population
- 240,109 inhab.
- 10th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 34.8 km²
- Density
- 6,894 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
DunkerqueLille
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Lille2.7 times as high | 87,442 | 240,109 | More populous: Lille2.7 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Lille+2.9 pts | −0.7% | +2.2% | Stronger growth: Lille+2.9 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Lille+6.9 pts | −4.0% | +2.9% | Stronger growth: Lille+6.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lille3.5 times as high | 1,992 | 6,894 | Denser: Lille3.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Dunkerque+2.2 pts | 16.3% | 14.1% | More young people: Dunkerque+2.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Dunkerque+12 pts | 22.8% | 11.1% | More seniors: Dunkerque+12 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Dunkerque+0.22 | 2.01 | 1.79 | Larger households: Dunkerque+0.22 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lille+76% | 2,144 | 3,777 | More expensive: Lille+76% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Lille+46% | 1,939 | 2,828 | More expensive: Lille+46% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lille+17% | 13.5 | 15.8 | More expensive: Lille+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lille+14% | 11.1 | 12.7 | More expensive: Lille+14% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Dunkerque+18 pts | 45.5% | 27.6% | More homeowners: Dunkerque+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Dunkerque+21 pts | 40.7% | 19.7% | More houses: Dunkerque+21 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Dunkerque+0.5 pt | 3.9% | 3.4% | More second homes: Dunkerque+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Lille+1.2 pt | 6.9% | 8.0% | More vacant homes: Lille+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dunkerque+2.6 pts | 51.49% | 48.91% | Higher rate: Dunkerque+2.6 pts |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dunkerque+1% | 22,790 | 22,470 | Higher: Dunkerque+1% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Lille+5.9 pts | 22.7% | 28.6% | Higher: Lille+5.9 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Lille+6% | €25,682 | €27,252 | Higher: Lille+6% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Lille+2.8 pts | 40% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Lille+2.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Dunkerque+4.3 pts | 72.1% | 67.8% | Higher: Dunkerque+4.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Dunkerque+2.3 pts | 17.9% | 15.7% | Higher: Dunkerque+2.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrice Vergriete | Arnaud Deslandes | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Lille+0.8 pt | 93% | 94% | Better covered: Lille+0.8 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lille+24% | 59.8523 in total | 73.91,774 in total | More shops per capita: Lille+24% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+31% | 17.8156 in total | 23.3560 in total | More per capita: Lille+31% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+87% | 37.3326 in total | 69.61,671 in total | More per capita: Lille+87% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+66% | 17.5153 in total | 10.5253 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+66% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+30% | 2.219 in total | 1.740 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+30% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+36% | 1.715 in total | 2.356 in total | More per capita: Lille+36% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Lille+6 | 1 | 7 | More stations: Lille+6 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Lille+75% | 3.5 | 6.2 | Better access: Lille+75% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+54% | 8.373 in total | 12.9309 in total | More per capita: Lille+54% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille3.0 times as high | 13.6119 in total | 40.7977 in total | More per capita: Lille3.0 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+21% | 7.263 in total | 6.0143 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+21% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+32% | 4.237 in total | 3.277 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+32% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lille+20 | 7 | 27 | More facilities: Lille+20 |
Practitioners and facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print); access to doctors includes those in neighboring communes. Sources: Ministry of Health (DREES), APL, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Health (Finess)
Education
Schools and colleges
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Lille+57 | 52 | 109 | More schools: Lille+57 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Lille+11 | 13 | 24 | More middle schools: Lille+11 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Lille+13 | 12 | 25 | More high schools: Lille+13 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lille+100 | 9 | 109 | More facilities: Lille+100 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Lille2.1 times as high | 4.3 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Lille2.1 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille2.9 times as high | 10.5 | 30.5 | Higher rate: Lille2.9 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille+34% | 4.9 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Lille+34% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille2.4 times as high | 1.5 | 3.6 | Higher rate: Lille2.4 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille+8% | 11.8 | 12.8 | Higher rate: Lille+8% |
Offenses recorded in the commune by the police and gendarmerie, per 1,000 inhabitants (per 1,000 homes for burglaries); this is not the actual crime level. Rates for the latest published year. Source: Ministry of the Interior (SSMSI)
Climate
Temperature, sunshine and rain
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Dunkerque+0.4 °C | 11.7°C | 11.3°C | Warmer: Dunkerque+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,627 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Lille+7% | 691 | 740 | Wetter: Lille+7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Lille+5 days/year | 121 | 126 | More rainy days: Lille+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lille+20 days/year | 17 | 37 | More frost days: Lille+20 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Lille+5 days/year | 2 | 7 | More hot days: Lille+5 days/year |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Dunkerque+7 | 26 | 19 | More declarations: Dunkerque+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Lille+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Lille+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Dunkerque+26% | 43.9 | 34.8 | Larger: Dunkerque+26% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Lille+16 m | 7 m | 23 m | Higher: Lille+16 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Nord (59) | Nord (59) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque | Métropole Européenne de Lille | |
| Urban unit | Dunkerque | Lille (partie française) | |
| Functional area | Dunkerque | Lille (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Dunkerque vs Lille at a glance
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Lille |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 87,442 | 240,109 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.0% | +2.9% |
| Density per km² | 1,992 | 6,894 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,144 | 3,777 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,939 | 2,828 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.5 | 15.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.49% | 48.91% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,790 | 22,470 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 17.9% | 15.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 94% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.5 | 6.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.3 | 9.0 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 11.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 43.9 | 34.8 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Dunkerque vs Lille: your questions
Which is the larger city, Dunkerque or Lille?
By population, Lille: 240,109 inhabitants versus 87,442 for Dunkerque (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Lille is the 10th largest city in France, Dunkerque the 54th. By area, Dunkerque is the larger (43.9 km²).
How far is Dunkerque from Lille?
Dunkerque and Lille are 66 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Nord).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Dunkerque or Lille?
To buy an apartment, Lille is more expensive: €3,777 per m² (median price), versus €2,144 in Dunkerque (+76%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Dunkerque or Lille?
In Dunkerque, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,790 a year, versus €22,470 in Lille (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Dunkerque and Lille in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures